Tiny dragons (Kinorhyncha) answering big questions - insights into metazoan segmentation

Segmentation is one of the most successful body plans in metazoans and thus, it has played a central role in our understanding of animal evolution. Kinorhynchs, commonly known as mud dragons, are one of the four existing segmented animal groups together with arthropods, annelids and chordates. While arthropod, annelid and chordate segmentation has been intensively studied, segmentation machinery is completely unknown in kinorhynchs. What are the mechanisms underlying segmentation in mud dragons? How are segments formed? What are the responsible genes? Is kinorhynch and arthropod segmentation homologous or do kinorhynchs represent a novel type of segmentation in metazoans?

We aim to fill the big gap of knowledge generating: (i) novel morphological evidence (gene expression, cell proliferation and immunohistochemistry studies) and (ii) molecular evidence (de novo transcriptomics, phylogenomics). Results will not only shed light on the origin of segmentation within Ecdysozoa (molting animals), but also broaden our knowledge on segmentation patterns, their deviations and evolutionary transformations throughout ancient history.